Leveling-machine jack.



B. WOODWARD. LEVELING MACHINE JACK. APPLIOATION FILED JULY 21,1906.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

3 SHEET S-SHEET l.

jovama fir:

wag/5.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH (10., WASHINGTON, D. c.

E. WOODWARD. LEVELING MACHINE JACK. APPLICATION FILED JULY 21, 1906.

Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0, WASHINGTON, 04 c4 E. WOODWARD. LEVELING MACHINE JACK. APPLIOATION PILED'JULY 21,1906.

1,076,61 8. Patented Oct. 21, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

-u|.umn PLANOGRAPH c0" WASHINGTON. n, c.

lUNllTED STATE$ PATENT ERASTUS WOODWARD, 0F SOMERVILLE MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, '10 UNITED SHOE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF EATERSON, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

LEVELIN G-IVJIACI-IIN E JACK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Got. 21, 19113.

Application filed July 21, 1906. fierial No. 327,136.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, EnAs'rUs Voonwano, a citizen of the United States, residing at Somerville, in the county of Middlesex, State of lvlassacliusetts, have invented an Improvement in Leveling-Machine Jacks, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to machines for beating out or leveling the soles of boots or shoes. While the same is particularly useful in that type of beatin g out or leveling or sole pressing machine wherein very heavy and direct pressure is brought to bear upon the sole of aboot or shoe by molding means shaped to the desired conformation of the sole of the boot or shoe, as for example for a shoe of the McKay type,such shoe being usually interiorly supported upon a metallic jack or last, yet the invention is also applicable for use in that type of machine wherein a welt shoe, interiorly supported upon a wooden last, is subjected to the molding pressure of a moving roller, oscillatory form or the like. In the former type of leveling machine referred to wherein the shoe is subjected to the heavy direct pressure of shaped molding means, the supporting jack or last must be of the proper size for each size of shoe the sole of which is to be beaten or leveled and, hence, must be shifted for every change in size of shoe. Furthermore, not only is a metallic last or jack for use in the leveling operation costly in itself, but the provision of a large number of such metallic lasts or jacks to fit the different sizes of shoes is a matter of very large and serious expense.

By my invention I am enabled to substitute for such metallic last one that is much cheaper to produce and that can be much more readily handled. While in the type of my invention herein disclosed I preferably employ a wooden last yet any suitable material may be used. Not only is such a last as l have refer ed to as embodying one type of my invention intrinsically cheaper than the usually employed metallic last, but the shoe manufacturer may readily and conveniently procure a range of such lasts of varying sizes and shapes suitable for use with the large variety of shapes and sizes of shoes in the sole leveling or pressing operation, by increasing his order for lasts of various sizes and shapes suitable for use in the lasting operation in adding thereto an order for similar or additional lasts to be used in the sole pressing or leveling operation.

While in that type or embodiment of my invention which I have selected for illustration and description I have shown the last or jack as adapted to be used in connection with a complementally shaped mold Whereby the shoe may be subjected to very heavy direct pressure, it will be understood that I am in no sense limited tothe use of such type of molding means but that any desired type of molding means may be employed.

In the sole pressing or leveling operation and particularly when a working or looking pressure is employed, a wooden or other nonmetallic last toe is liable to be broken under the application of such pressure. While in the present embodiment of my invention I have disclosed a type of exterior toe sup porting means whereby many advantages are secured I am not restricted to the use of such mechanism, although the same is peculiarly useful in connection with my improved last, one embodiment of which is herein disclosed.

The above enumerated and other advantages of my invention which flow therefrom will be readily apparent from the ensuing description of one type or embodiment thereof.

Having reference, therefore, to that single type or embodiment of my invention which I have chosen for illustration ;F igure 1 represents a side elevation of the last and the exterior toe support for the shoe together with the means for bringing said parts into effective relation thereto and withdrawing them therefrom, the lower portion of the last support being shown in section; Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section of the exterior toe support, the means to lock the same in its effective operative position and the toe support sustaining means, the latter being shown as depressed and the toe support being shown as unlocked. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2 but with the toe support sustaining means elevated and the toe support locked ineffective operative position. Fig. a is a side elevation, partly in section, of the devices shown in Fig. 2, but representing the toe support sustaining means elevatedand the toe support as locked in effective position; Fig. 5

is a front elevation of the Cltliili disk for conshowingthe friction connections between the I rear or heel portion of the last and the projection or roller that is adapted to play in the spiral cam groove of the cam for operating said heel portion, certain of the parts being shown in elevation.

Having now reference to that type or embodiment of my invent-ion which I have chosen to set forth in this application in order to explain the principles thereof and one manner of applying the same in practice;-ln the drawings, and referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 7 the jack support is indicated at 1, the same being ordinarily an in and out moving table, such, for instance, l-leys, 581,825, May at, 1897. Or, if desired, it may and preferably will be a table corresponding to that of Patent No. 939,37 2, No-

vember 9, 1909. Mounted to slide longitudia rear or heel as illustrated in U. S. Patent to iially on the said support is a metallic last;

base 6 (see Fig. 1). I advantages of a metallic shoe last that is obtain many of the 1 Thus, I may employ quite a adapted to receive heavy direct pressure i from the complemental mold used in beating I out or pressing or leveling the sole of a shoe,

b" n'ovidin the said metallic last base with a broad and generous upper end or last support 7, whereon is received a wooden memher 8 constituting the last proper and being as shown complemental to the mold member 9 (see Fig. 1) when such type of molding means is employed. The member 8 is sometimes termed a follower, but for identification herein will be known as the last or last member. The said last member proper is preferably formed of wood or of other material that is cheaper or more convenient to provide than that ordinarily used in the pro duction of jacks or lasts for sole pressing or leveling, and the same is preferably of such relatively small extent vertically or in the direction of application of the molding force that the full benefit of the metallic base or support 6 is received during the pressing or beating out or leveling action upon the sole of the boot or shoe. That is to say, the vertical extent of the last 8 is preferably not so great-as to neutralize or counteract the rigidity or firmness afforded by the last base 6. In the present type or embodiment of my invention 1 haveshown the line of separation between the last 8 and last base 6 as terminating in the vicinity of the base of the instep of the boot or shoe, and also as terminating in the vicinity of the broadest portion of the last 8, since I find such defined construction to possess many advantages in this type of my invention. It will, however, be understood that I may select such line of support between the last base and last as may secure the advantages of my invention.

1 have discovered that if a mold be positioned or alined with the shoe when supported upon a jack or last, with regard to. some criticalor predetermined point of the sole thereof, 1 may employ a single mold or molding means in conjunction with a plurality of different sizes of lasts and, hence, may employ a very limited number of molds or molding devices iniconjunction with the entire range of lasts necessary to accommodate the various sizes and shapes of boots and shoes. I may select any suitablep'ortion of a shoe sole or shoe as the critical or predetermined point, but in this embodiment or type of my invention 1 have chosen for such point/the bend or curve of the sole intermediate the forward portion of the shank and the tread, I therefore, in this embodiment of my invention, provide means to secure the last upon the last base in pre} determined position with regard to the mold or molding means, so that whatever'size of last be employed, the predetermined or critical point thereon may be correctly alined with the corresponding point of the mold.

large number of varying shapes and sizes of lasts with a single moldand yet correctly press or level the sole of the shoe positioned thereon and so reduce to a minimum the number molds necessary; for use with the entire range of sizes and shapes of boots andshoes. Various means may be employed to position the last upon the last support in correct and accurate alinement with regard to such critical or predetermined point as has been selected. I have, however, in this embodiment of my invention, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 a positioning pin 12, rigidly seated in an upwardly inclined socket in the last base 6 and projecting upwardly from the upper face thereof to receive thereon the last 8 which, for this purpose, is provided with a correspondingly and obliquely disposed socket 13, adapted to tightly fit the pin. The positioning pin 12 is preferably, though not necessarily so located that the corresponding socket in the last extends to the vicinity of the bend or curve between the ofv forward portion of a shank and the tread. By thus locating said pin the last may be most conveniently applied to its support and most securely positioned thereon inasmuch as the pin passes through that portion of the last having the greatest vertical extent. I may substitute for the said pin any suitable device to position and lock the lasts upon the last base but I prefer in this embodiment of my invention to employ the pin 12 as a positioning means and preferably locate the same at the forward portion of the last and employ a separatelooking means. Inasmuch as with the use of certain types of molding means, when pressure is thereby brought upon one portion of the sole, there is a tendency to tip or tilt the sole and last upon its support in the direction of the application of the molding force, I preferably provide a locking means to operate in conjunction with the opposite portion of the last and shoe to prevent such tipping or tilting, and further to accurately position and maintain the last upon its support. In this type or embodiment of my invention 1 have chosen to employ as the locking means a second pin 14E extending from the upper face of the last base 6 and preferably at an angle to that of the first or positioning pin 12. In order to position the last 8 upon the said pins, the pin l l is slidingly mounted in an upwardly inclined socket 15 in the upper portion of the last base 6, the lower portion of said socket being of reduced diameter, as shown at 15, and extending to the adjacent surface of the last base 6. Within the said socket 15 is slidingly disposed a looking or positioning pin having a head 14 adapted to engage a corresponding socket 14 in the last 8 and having depending therefrom a reduced portion or spindle 17, extending to the outer adjacent surface of the last base 6 and preferably having at its end a knob or enlargement 18 that may be grasped by the operative to withdraw the pin head 14: from engagement with the socket 14+. in the last. Between the lower end of the head of the said pin and the base of the enlarged portion of the socket 15 is preferably provided a coiled spring 19 tending normally to project the head 14 of the pin into the socket 14E of the last 8, thereby to position securely the same upon the last base 6. W hen it is desired to apply a last to or to remove one from the last base 6, the knob 18 is grasped by the operative and the head 14 of the pin is withdrawn from the socket 14 of the last 8, whereupon the last may be lifted or withdrawn from its engagement with the positioning pin 12.

It is, of course, obvious that within certain rather well defined limits I may employ a single last 8 for shoes differing some what therefrom both as to size and shape inasmuch as even with such a shoe I may by my invention aline the same in a predetermined position with respect to the molding means.

1 preferably form the last or interior shoe support as an expansible one to fit different sizes or shapes of boots and shoes and in this type of my invention I preferably accomplish this result by providing the last with a separable member here shown as a rear or heel member 9 of any suitable shape and material, the same being adapted to be moved relatively to the body portion of the last so that the said heel member may be positioned in close or eflective rela tion with the heel portion or rear of the boot or shoe, regardless of the size of the latter. Any suitable means may be employed to impart relative movement to the said heel member and forward member of the last and either member may be the movable one. I prefer, however, to impart movement to the heel member and as one suitable n-eans therefor have pivoted the lower extended end of said heel member (see Figs. 1 and 7) upon a shaft 5 supported in depending frame brackets 8. I preferably also provide means tending to press or hold the heel member of the last rearwardly or into effective binding relation with the shoe and to that end have provided (see Fig. 7) preferably upon the lower portion of the said heel member a lug 21, against which impinges a spring pressed pin 22 mounted in a socket in the adjacent portion of the jack or last support.

As one type of means to impart the described movement to the heel member 9 of the last and preferably also to impart other movements to be hereinafter described, there is mounted, preferably in the lower portion of the last base (3 (F 1) and in a journal 2st rising from an end thereof, a horizontally disposed shaft 23. Motion may be imparted to the said shaft in any suitable manner, either manually or mechanically, but I prefer to impart motion thereto manually and to that end have provided upon the rear end thereof a crank handle 24. Preferably between the journal 2 land the adjacent base portion of the last there is fast upon the shaft 23 a preferably cylindrical cam 25, having therein (see Fig. (3 also) a spiral cam groove 26, within which is received for movementtherein (Fig. a pin 27 provided upon its cam groove engaging end with the sleeve 27. The said pin is mounted in an are shaped horizontally dis posed slot 28 in the heel member 9 of the last. The said pin 27 is preferably provided with friction means (Fig. 8) consisting of a concaved spring washer 29 positioned be tween the washer 30 and the nut 31, whereby the said washer 30 frictionally engages the face of the heel member 9, so that in the described rotation ofthe cam 25 to bring"- the heel member 9; into. effective en: gagement with the heel portion of a. bent or shoe, the said pin 27 when moved lone gitudinally by the spiral; cam groove 26 of the cam 25 carries therewith the said heel member 9". Vilhen. the heel portion 9 has been brought intoeifeetive, relation with the heel member of the shoe, if further movement be imparted to the shaft. 2-3. in the same direction the pin 27 is permitted to slide in theslot 28,, overcoming the friction of the washer 3,0, against the said heel? member 9, but without losing the degree of expansion already obtained.

The describedinterior shoe support and any suitable means foroperating the same may be used with any desired type of; molding means, and with or without exterior toe support for the shoe, but owing to the fact that in the sole leveling or pressing op.- eration the pressure that is brought. to, bear upon the forward portion of the foot is aptto break down the last, if not of metal, many advantages accrue from the use of an exterior toe support. Therefore in this type of my invention I have disclosed an exterior toe support and have here shown and preferably employ one the toe contacting portion of which is adapted to. automatically adjust itself to conform to. the contour of the exteriorportion of the toe so as to present either a continuous support or what inmany instances is the equivalent, a two point support. If preferred, however, a toe support that does not automatlcally or even mechanically "conform to the contour of the toe of the shoe may be employed. I have here shown, a toe support 32 to engage the exterior oft-he boot or shoe, the s le of which is to be beaten out or pressed orleveled, the said support having in this instance (Figs. 1, 2, 3. and 4:) a pad 33 of any suitable material, the same being suitably secured as by a dovetailed joint 34 upon the base member 35 provided (Figs. 1 and 3) with a set screw 86,, adapted to. pass upwardly and obliquely through the said base member and into effective relation with the pa 33. In this type or embodiment of my invention I preferably, as pre. viously stated, employ a toe support that automatically conforms substantially to the contour of the toe of the shoe and I may and preferably do secure such automatic conformation by so mountingthe .toe support that the same may rook as-it is brought into engagement with the toe of the shoe to thereby adjust itself and provide either a continuous or a two-point support.

Not only is the toe support 32? shown in this type of my invention as so mountedthat it may rock to adapt the face of the pad 33 thereof to the shape of the toe of the boot or shoe, but the said toe support is prefer.- ably and is herein shown as provided with sustaining means.- whereby it may be moved relative to withdrawn from effectiye a supporting. relation, so that the shoe and the last. may be removed from the last base 6 and another shoe and last substituted there: for or another shoe be placed upon the last. While I hereinafter define the toe support as preferably having means whereby the same may be depressed from or withdrawn from engagement with the shoe, I use such .terms in a broad sense and cover thereby "any means for relatively moving the said toe support 32 with respect tothe shoe, inasmuch as it is obviously within the. scope l of my invention to move the last or interior support of the shoe away from the said ex: terior toe support, or movement may be imparted in different directions or differential movement in the same direction to both the last, or interior shoe support and the exterior toe support, to separate the shoe and the said toe support. I have however, chosen in this embodiment of my invention to with- .draw the toe support from the shoe and preferably do so by depressing the same from contact therewith, although it is obvious that the said toe support may be with.- drawn from the shoe in many different ways I and in many different directions, Such described movement may be imparted either i manually or automatically but in the pres ent embodiment of my invention I have 1 chosen to impart the desired movement manually and preferably employ the manual means provided to impart relative movement to the heel piece and the body or base portion of the last.

To. permit the previously described rocking movement of the toe support when such. is employed'I preferably (Fig. 3) provide the base member 35 thereof upon its under side with a hub 37, and loosely journal the same upon a short horizontal shaft 38, that is mounted (Fig. 1) in vertically elongated bearings 39 in the upper ends of the upright arms 39' ofan upright and vertically sliding sustaining member 40 (Fig. 3). The said shaft 38 is preferably mounted near its upper ends with depending pins ll (Figs. 1. and 3) the lower ends whereof extend into vertical sockets 42 provided in the upper ends of the said upright arms 89 of the sliding sustaining member i0, wherein are preferably contained coiled springs 43, tending normally to force the pins ll and the shaft 38 upwardly in the elongated bearings 39, in the upright arms of the sliding sustaining member 40. Preferably depending centrally from the hub 37 of the base'member 35 of the toe support 32* (Fig. 3) there is provided an arm 44, the lower end of which is preferably provided with a suitable looking surface such as the here shown are shaped serrated surface 45 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4). Centrally of the sliding sustaining member 40 and directly beneath the depending arm 4.4 there is provided a block 46, set in the edge of the said sliding sustaining member, the upper surface of said block being preferably serrated or otherwise conforming to the surface 45 of the lower end of the arm 44.

As has been previously stated, the toe support 32 is in this type of my invention preferably Withdrawn from effective engage ment with the toe of the shoe that the same may be withdrawn from the last or the shoe and last, if desired, removed from the last base, after the sole leveling operation upon that shoe has been completed. In returning the said toe support into effective engage ment with the toe of the succeeding shoe in the manner to be hereinafter fully described, before the fully effective sustaining position thereof has been reached, the toe support 32 is permitted to automatically accommodate itself and in this type of my invention to rock upon the shaft 38 so that the pad 33 thereof when the same is employed, as it first lightly engages the shoe may conform in position to the contour of the toe thereof and provide either a continuous or a twopoint bearing therefor as has been previously described. In so conforming itself to the contour of the shoe toe the depending arm 44 thereof is oscillated to and fro and is finally brought to rest at a position dependent upon the final and conforming position of the pad 33. This having occurred, the locking or serrated surfaces 45 and 4st are in a manner to be hereinafter fully de scribed brought into engaging or locking relation so that the toe support 32 is locked .e in its position of conformity to the shape of the shoe toe, and the same is preferably rigidly supported as will be further de scribed.

In order, as is preferably done in this type of my invention, to withdraw the toe sup port 32 from engagement with the shoe upon the last 8 after the shoe sole has been leveled as by depressing the said toe support, the sliding sustaining member 40 there for is provided (Fig. 3) with inclined vertical side edges 47 i7 that are received in corresponding guide ways 48 in a frame or support 49, suitably secured upon an upright 2 .9, suitably secured upon the lower portion of the metallic last base, between which and the said frame member 4-9 the sustaining member 40 is mounted for verti+ cally sliding movement.

Near the upper edge of the frame member -19 are mounted pins 50, to which are secured the upper ends of vertically arranged coiled springs 51, the lower ends whereof are secured (Fig. 3) to pins 52 extending from the lower portion of the sliding sustaining member 40, the tendency of the said springs being to maintain the sustaining member 40 in an elevated position with the toe'support member 32 in effective supporting engagement with the toe of the shoe, the sustaining member being locked in such elevated position (see Fig. t) by suitably mounted spring pressed pawls 59 and 62 engaging the toothed surface 61 upon the lower portion of the said sustaining member.

While I have specifically described one form of locking means to hold the sustaining member 40 in elevated position it will be apparent that any suitable locking or other means may be employed for the purpose. ln order to depress the said sliding sustaining member 40, after the same has been unlocked, any convenient means may be employed. As merely one type of means for accomplishing the desired result, there is mounted upon the shaft 28 (Figs. 1 and 4) a crank disk 53 (Fig. 5), a crank pin 54L projecting from one face thereof being adapted in the partial rotation of the said disk to engage (Fig. 4) a ledge 55 formed upon the rear face of the lower portion of the sliding sustaining member 40 and to depress the said member. The same face of the crank disk 53 is provided at a suitable portion thereof and preferably near its margin (F 5) with a socket 56, adapted to receive therein an end of a horizontally disposed sliding pin 57, mounted in an upright 49 and. passing through a vertically disposed slot 57 (Fig. in the lower portion of the sliding sustaining member. The opposite end of said pin is preferably suitably shaped to engage (Fig. 3) a projection 58 from the pivoted pawl 59 adapted to be spring pressed as by a spring 60 into engagement with the said toothed surface 61 upon the sustaining member. There is preferably provided (Fig. '1) a second pawl 62, of shorter length than the first so that one or the other of said pawls may be brought accurately into efiective relation with the toothed surface 61 upon the sliding sustaining member 40 when the toe support 32 has been brought into efiective supporting relation to the shoe. The second pawl 62 is preferably provided (Fig. l) with an are shaped slot 63, adapted to receive a pm 6% projecting from the face of the pawl 59, so that when the pawl 59 has been withdrawn from engagement with the toothed surface 61, the second pawl is likewise withdrawn therefrom.

At the commencement of the described movement of partial rotation of the crank disk 53 upon the shaft 23 the sliding pin 57 is forced from the socket 56 in the face of the disk into engagement with the projection 58 of the pawl 59 to withdraw both pawls from engagement with the toothed surface 61. In the further movement of partial rotation of the crank disk 58 the pin 54 thereon engages the ledge 55 of the sliding sustaining member 40 and depresses the same thereby distending the springs 51 and withdrawing the toe member 52 from effective supporting engagement with the toe of the shoe. in such downward move ment of the sliding sustaining member 40 the springs 43 that support the horizontal shaft 38, whereon the toe support is mounted, hold said toe support elevated until the shaft 33 is engaged by the upper ends of the said elongated slots 39 in the upper ends of the upright arms 39 of the sliding sustaining member e0, whereupon the toe supporting member 32 partakes of the con tinued downward movement of the sliding sustaining member 40. A shoe the sole whereof has been leveled or pressed, having been removed from the last and another substituted therefor or the shoe and last having been removed from the last support, and another placed thereon, the operative imparts a reverse rotative movement to the shaft 23 by means of the crank handle 2%, thereby moving the pin 54: of the crank disk 53 in the opposite direction or upward, the tension of the springs 51 tending to move upward correspondingly the sliding sustaining member 40. During such up ward movement of the sliding sustaining member 40 the tension of the springs 43 by which the shaft 38 of the toe support 32 is upheld, tends to hold said shaft 38 at the upper extremity of the elongated bearings 39 in the arms of the sustaining member 40 so that the locking or serrated surface 4-5 of the depending arm 4% is out of engagement with the corresponding surface of the block 46. herefore, in the use of this type of my invention, whenthe pad 33 of the toe support 82 first touches the toe of the shoe it instantly conforms itself to the contour of the shoe in the manner previously described. The then continued upward movement of the sliding sustaining member 40 compresses the springs 43 that support the shaft 38 so that the said shaft is seated in the lower ends of the elongated bearings 39 and the looking or serratedsurfaces 45 and 46 are at the same time brought into locking relation whereby a rigid support is presented to vthe toe of the shoe, the sole of'which is next to be leveled by the action of-the molding means thereon. i

During the described reverse movementof partial rotation of the shaft 23 to elevate the sustaining member 426 and the toe support 32, the cam 25 acts in the manner pre viously described to move the heel member 9 of the last into effective engagement with the rear or heel portion of the shoe.

Having thus set forth one embodiment or type of my invention, 1 wish it to be understood that although the same has been specifically described" yet the. terms employed are used in a broad or general sense and not in their specific nature and that the scope of the invention is set forth and defined in the following claims 1. In a device of the character described the combination of a laying or leveling form, a last base having a last supporting surface for engaging and supporting singly a plurality of lasts of different sizes, and last positioning and securing means arranged and extending between the last supporting surface of'the base and the last placed thereon to position each last, regardless of its size, with its ball line in an invariable position with reference to the last base that theball line of lasts of different sizes may register with the ball line of one and the same form when lasts are secured to the base.

2 in a device of the character described, the combination of a laying or leveling form, a last base adapted to support singly a plurality of lasts of different sizes, and last positioning means between the last base and a last placed thereon extending in a direction to intersect the ball line of the last when the last, regardless of its size, is connected to the last base by said means, that the ball line of lasts of different sizes may assume the same invariable position to reg ister with the ball line of one and the same form when lasts of different sizes are singly secured to the base.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a laying or leveling form, a last base adapted to support singly a plurality of lasts of varying sizes with the ball line of said lasts, regardless of size, in the same position, said last base and each of said lasts being provided with complemental engaging means fiXed with relation to the ball line of the lasts regardless of variations in size of the lasts that the ball line of said lasts may assume registeringposition with the ball line of an opposed form when any of said lasts are secured to the last base by said complemental engaging means.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a last base adaptedto support singly a plurality of lasts of different sizes ith the ball line of said lasts in the same position, a positioning pin extending from one of said parts, in a direction to intersect the ball line of the last, regardless of its size, the other of said parts having a recess to be engaged therel y, that the ball line of a series of lasts of different sizes may assume an invariable position-when the last is placedupon the last base.

5. A work support comprising a last base adapted to support singly a plurality of lasts of varying sizes, pins extending between said last base and last positioned thereon to maintain said parts in working relation, and oneof said'pins havingits di 'lasts of 'difi ereiit sizes'placed uponthe last.

provided With an upwardly extending posi- V tioniiig pm, said last base adapted to support;

- sitioning pin and socket being disposed and line of said "differentsizes to position each, last upon the basewith the ball-line in in- .the last, and a' locking pinfurther connectface oi the base andthe last placed thereon rection such as, tointersect the ball line or,

base.

G. A work support coinpi'isingalastbase singly a plurality of lasts of'varying sizesf each having a pin receiving socket, said po-g arranged'in the same 'relationto-the ball? variable position regardless of the' size of ing the base and last. '7. i In a device of the character described, the combination of a laying or'leveling' form, a last base having a last supporting surface for engaging and supporting singly aplurality of lasts oil dii'ferent sizes,last positioning and securing means coiisti'uctedand, 2L1Iz1I1gGCl bGtWGQII.tlle last supporting surto position each last, regardless of "itssize; with itsball line in an invariable position with reference to thelast base that the ball. line oflasts of difi'erent sizes may registerl with the ball line of one and the same form f a heel member, and means to separate the; last and heel member while maintaining the? last in the invariable posit-ion stated.

S. In a device of the character described, the combination of a laying or leveling form, a last base adapted to support singly a plurality of lasts of different sizes, lastpositioiiing'means between the last base and a last placed thereon extending ina direction to intersect the ballline of the'last When the last, regardless of its size, is connected to the last base by said means that the ball line of lasts of different sizes may assume the same invariable position to register With the ball line of one and the same form, a movable heel member, and means for separating it from the last While maintaining said last, regardless of its size, with the ball linein the position stated.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of alast'base adapted to support singly a plurality of lasts of difierent sizes, last positioning means between the last'base and tlielastto position lasts of diitereiit sizes upon the last base as the-parts are put together Withan initial'part of each last intermedial its ends in an invariable position regardless of the size of the last, a prolongation of said positioning means intersecti'iig said initial point of the last, a heel member, and means for separating the last and heel member While maintaining the initial point. of the lasts in said invariable position.

10. A shoe support comprising a last base, a last supported thereon, a relatively movable supporting member located With respect support to times of diflerent sizes, -11162LI1S for moving saidanember with relation to "the' last, and CODIIGCtlOllSbBtWGGll said means -a-1idmember permittingthe continued operation of said means Without causing move- -=inent-of said member after the latter has been moved'to the limit determined by the shoe.

'l-l. In-a device of the character described, "tlie'con'ibination of-a last base, a last supported thereon, an interior shoe supporting -member, said last and member being relatively-movable interiorly of a shoe supported ther'eby,an actuator for causing such relative movement, and yielding ineans betWeen theactuator and said --member perinlltt l'rig the actuator to continue itsmovement -after --relative movement of the last and said member has ceased.

12. A shoe support comprising a last base provided-With -an upwardly projecting pin and-adapted to support singly a plurality of lasts of varying sizes or shapes, with an initial part ofthe last intermediate the ends =01. the :sole of the last in invariable position -regardless of the size 1 and shape of the last, each of said =1asts havinga socket, a prolongation of Which intersects thesai'd initial point of the last, andada-pted to be engaged i by said pin.

' 18. A shoe support having a last 1 base a'daptedto' support singly a plurality of lasts of-varying sizes, in position defined by a predetermined point on the sol-e of the last intermediate the ends thereof, positioning means connecting the last base and each last to position the lastupon the basewith said predetermined point in invariable location regardless of the size of the" last, said means -comprising divergent pins disposed between the last base and last, one of said pins being arranged ona'line intersecting said predetermined point on said last.

14. T In a device of the character described,

the combination of-a last base adapted to support singly a plurality of lasts of different sizes, "last positioning means between thelast'baseandlast to position lasts of different sizes upon the last base With-a predetermined point of each last intermediate its ends in a-n-invariable position regardless of the 'sizeof the last, a prolongation-of said positioning means intersecting --t-he predetermined point of any last placed upon' the base," and an exterior toe support for the toe of-the selected last.

15. In a-device of the character described, the combination of a last' base adapted to -support singlyaplurality of lasts of dilierentsizes, last positioning means between the last base and last to position lasts of dilier- -en-t sizes upon the last base With a predetermined point'o-f each last intermediate its ends in an-invariable position regardless of" the size of the last, a prolongation of said positioning means intersecting the predetermined point of any last placed upon the base, and an exterior toe support automatically conformable to the toe of the selected last.

16. In a device of the the combination of a last base adapted to support singly a plurality of lasts of diiferent sizes, last positioning means between the last base and last to position lasts of difierent sizes upon the last base with a predetermined point of each last intermediate its ends in an invariable position, regardless of the size of the last, a prolongation of said positioning'means intersecting the predetermined point of any last placed upon the base, an adjustable interior shoe supporting member, and an exterior toe support.

17. In a device of the character described, the combination of a last base adapted to support singly a plurality of lasts of different sizes, last positioning means between the last base and last to position lasts of different sizes upon the last base with a predetermined point of each last intermediate its ends in an invariable position regardless of the size of the last, a prolongation of said positioning means intersecting the predetermined point of any last placed upon the base, an adjustable interior shoe supporting member, an exterior toe support, and means for adjusting the interior shoe supporting member and by its movement permitting the toe support to automatically move to supporting position,

18. In a shoe support, a pivotally mounted toe rest, a lock for restraining movement ofthe toe rest on its pivot, means acting normally to free the toe rest to such pivotal movement, and means to raise said toe rest into contact with the work while free to swing on its pivot and thereafter cause it to be locked.

19. In a shoe support, a pivotally mounted spring supported toe rest normally free to swing on its pivot, a lock for restraining pivotal movement of said toe rest when the latter is under pressure, sustaining means for said toe rest, and means for locking the sustaining means in position with the toe rest in contact with the work.

20. In a work support, a toe rest, sustaining means therefor normally tending to raise the toe rest into contact with the work, a lock to hold the sustaining means in raised position, and means to disengage the lock to permit lowering of the toe rest.

21. In a work support, a toe rest, sustaining means therefor normally tending to raise the toe rest into contact with the work, a lock to hold the sustaining means in raised position, and means to disengage the lock and means to lower the toe rest.

22. In a work support, an interior expan character described,

sible shoe support, an exterior toe support, sustaining means for the latter, a shaft, connections between said shaft and the interior expansible shoe support, and between said shaft and the said sustaining means to con trol the expansible shoe support and the said sustaining means by movement of said shaft.

23. A shoe support, an exterior toe support, means acting normally to move the exterior toe support into toe supporting position, withdrawing means to remove the same from effective supporting relation to the shoe against the stress ofthe said normally acting means, locking means to hold the said exterior toe support in supporting relation thereto, and means for controlling said locking means.

24. A shoe support, an exterior toe support movable toward and from eifective supporting relation to the shoe, means normally acting to move the toe support into toe supporting position, locking means to hold said toe support in supporting relation, and means operative only for causing movement of said toe support from sup porting position and for controlling said locking means.

25. A shoe support, an exterior toe support, and sustaining means wherein the latter is yieldingly mounted, said normally to raise the toe support, a lock for holding the said means in raised position, and means for controlling said lock.

26. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shoe support, an exterior toe supporting means, a toe support yieldingly mounted on said means to conform to the toe of a shoe, a lock for holding the toe support in its position of conformation to the toe of a shoe, a lock for holding the toe supporting means in supporting position, and means to trip the last-named lock and depress the supporting means,

27. In a device of the character described, the combination of an interior expansible shoe support, an exterior toe support, sustaining means for the latter, and a common movement imparting means to control the said interior expansible shoe support, and the said sustaining means.

28. Ina work support, an interior expansible shoe support, an exterior toe support movable into and out of operative position, means for locking said toe support in'opera' tive position, parting means for causing said shoe support to be expanded, for causing said toe support to be moved into operative position, and for rendering said locking means operative.

29. In a device of the character described, the combination of an interior expansible shoe support, an exterior toe support, means for locking the toe support against movement, and means to unlock the toe support means acting and a common movement im and contract the same to separate said supports and contract the interior shoe support.

30. In a device of the character described, the combination of an interior expansible shoe support, an exterior toe support, means for locking said supports against relative movement, and means to unlock said supports and simultaneously move one of them positively to separate said supports and contract the interior shoe support.

31. In a device of the character described, an interior shoe support, a pivotally mounted exterior toe support, movable sustaining means therefor, means for locking the toe support against pivotal movement and looking means for said movable sustaining means.

32. A work support comprising an interior shoe support, an adjustable exterior toe support, movable sustaining means therefor, and successively acting locking means, one to hold the toe support and the other to hold the movable sustaining means in operative position.

33. In a work support, the combination of a last base, an interior expansible shoe support, an exterior toe support, means acting normally to move the toe support into the toe supporting position, a lock for holding the toe support in toe supporting position, and a single means for expanding the interior shoe support and freeing the toe support to movement induced by said normally acting means.

84:. In a work support, the combination of a last base, an interior expansible shoe support associated with said base, a toe support, means for placing the toe support in toe supporting position, and a shaft 23 operatively related to said toe support and interior expansible shoe support to simultaneously eflect operation of both.

35. In a work support, a last base, a pin 12 extending therefrom in a direction to intersect the ball line of a last placed upon said support regardless of the size of said last, and a pin 14 to lock the last in position on said last base.

36. In a work support, an interior shoe support, an exterior toe support movable toward the toe of a shoe, a movable sustaining means also movable toward and from the toe of a shoe on the interior shoe support, and successively acting automatic looking means one to hold the toe support raised and the other to hold the movable sustaining means in position on said toe support.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to thisspecification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ERASTUS WOODWARD.

Witnesses:

IRVING U. TOWNSEND, SIDNEY F. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G." v 

